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The Scourge of Overtourism

SNA (Tokyo) — Japan is facing the problem of “overtourism.” Between 2010 and 2017, annual visitors to Japan grew from 8.6 million to 28.7 million. The Japanese media refers to the problem as “tourism pollution.” There is overcrowding of transit, restaurants, and other areas, and foreign tourists don’t understand Japanese etiquette. However, the Japanese economy is relying on tourism due to the declining population. The government hopes to see 40 million annual tourists by 2020, despite the complaints of some Japanese people.

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